My challenge quilt for work is done.
We selected 18 fabrics to be put into a Fat Quarter Bundle. Our inspiration for color choices was a sea glass photo.
And then we agreed on an employee challenge to give examples of what can be done with the selection. We used Fat-Eighths instead of Fat-Quarters for our examples.
Susan was the first to get hers done. It's already quilted and bound and ready to go, even though we agreed that just the quilt top was enough.
She used "Diamonds in the Rough" pattern by Stash Labs as a starting point for her quilt.
Doris was also inspired by a quilt pattern. (I'll have to get more information and edit it in soon 🤞.)
She reduced the size of the pieces. These half square triangles are itty-bitty! They are 1" finished!
I had the hardest time settling on a pattern. I thought about doing clamshells. A clamshell quilt has been on my "need to make" list for a long time. I played with a template free curved quarter circles (drunkard's path), but it felt like too much waste after cutting the curves. But I really like the technique and may have to revisit it someday.
I settled on making an underwater current. I used a free form cutting gentle curves sewing technique.
I had no plan beyond this. And my heart sunk as I desperately tried to think of how to incorporate all of the prints into this piece.
Right around this time is when Susan sent me a picture of her finished quilt. That have me just enough push to move forward.
From the start I had wanted a starfish somewhere on this quilt. Scrolling Pinterest have me lots of sea life ideas. I sat down and drew a sea scene. Wax paper just happened to be the perfect width.
This pic is actually the second draft I have taped to the window so I can trace the shapes onto the applique fabrics.
But it still didn't seem enough. The second starfish wasn't right either. A trip back to Pinterest was the inspiration need for the jellyfish and a sand dollar.
Left over lace hem tape and ruched fabric strips made the jellyfish tentacles and tendrils.
I thought I would continue the sea life into the border. Maybe coral rounding two corners, or sea shells in the corners with coral stretching asking the sides... I considered seahorses. I even tested out a pieced fish border...
Then the saying "more is just more" kept repeating in my head. And I chose to go with a simple scrappy border.
Almost finished. Still needed to embroider the fish eye and that top right corner felt empty... There was just enough room for a school of fish!
Phew! Finally done and turned in and now on display ☺️.
And the next day, I couldn't resist making this adorable turtle from a great Tutorial by HandyMum Lin. I love turtles!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
I wish you happy quilting/ crafting/ creating!! Whatever it is!
